When a towering figure like Tony Bennett passes away, the world remembers the music, the talent, and the legacy.
But behind the scenes, his family has faced a deeply painful and complicated chapter.
His daughters, Johanna and Antonia Bennett, have recently opened up about the heartbreak they endured in Tony’s final weeks and the difficult family conflicts that followed after his death.
Difficult Goodbyes and Fading Moments
Tony Bennett, who passed away in New York at the age of 96 on July 21, 2023, had been battling Alzheimer’s disease for seven years.
His daughters recall how those last days were filled with both tender memories and frustration.
Johanna shared that visiting her father became harder over time.
“In the end, we were unable to see him very much,” she said, describing how Tony was often in a dreamy, sleepy state but still recognized her and Antonia.
Even though his words were sometimes hard to find, moments of clarity would light up the room.
“He might struggle with a name, but when he got it, he’d light up and say, ‘Johanna!’” she recalled fondly. Those fleeting moments were precious to them amidst the decline.
Holding on to Music as Therapy
Music remained central to Tony’s life until the end.
Johanna explained that as part of his therapy, he would perform the full 90-minute show he famously did with Lady Gaga in 2021, though by the end, it was only a few times a week.
These performances were a lifeline, a way to connect with who he was even as his health faltered.
Yet when it came to decisions about his care, the sisters say they often felt out of the loop.
Johanna admitted, “We’re not 100 percent sure about the level of care he received.
Our family dynamic is very complicated.”
Antonia shared the emotional toll of watching their father slowly fade away and the challenge of understanding Alzheimer’s effects on behavior.
“At times, I thought he might be ‘mad,’ but once you understand the diagnosis, you learn to just be present with the person,” she explained.
Legal Battles Cast a Shadow Over Grief
As if coping with loss wasn’t hard enough, Johanna and Antonia have been embroiled in a painful legal battle with their stepbrothers, Daegal and D’Andrea Bennett, and their stepmother Susan Crow.
The rift stems from accusations that Danny Bennett, who managed Tony for decades, mishandled their father’s assets, drastically diminishing the family fortune.
The sisters filed a lawsuit in June 2024 claiming Danny misused the family trust by making gifts to himself and loans to his family without repayment.
The trust, which once held properties worth over $12 million and earnings exceeding $100 million from Tony’s performances, had supposedly been depleted due to Danny’s actions.
A second lawsuit in 2025 seeks to remove Danny as trustee for breaching his duties.
Remembering Tony Beyond the Courtroom
Even as legal battles rage, Johanna and Antonia cling to their personal memories of Tony.
They miss the simple joys of dining at his favorite New York restaurants and wandering museums together.
“He was a larger-than-life force, and adjusting to life without him is still so hard,” Johanna said.
Antonia finds comfort in the piano Tony left her, a cherished piece that belonged to their childhood home and was chosen by jazz great Bill Evans.
“My daughter is learning to play, and I use it to record my album. It feels like he’s here with me,” she shared.
Unreleased Music and Future Plans
Tony’s musical legacy might still have surprises in store.
Antonia revealed that there are over 200 unreleased recordings made by her father in his later years.
“He would just keep recording in the studio,” she said.
Though it’s unclear if or when this material will be released, it promises to keep Tony’s voice alive for fans old and new.
Meanwhile, disputes continue over the rights to Tony’s music catalog, with the family still waiting for transparency regarding sales and asset management by Danny’s company.
The Other Side of the Story
Danny Bennett’s attorney has strongly denied the daughters’ claims, praising the stepfamily’s devotion to Tony.
“Danny worked with Tony for over 40 years and always acted in his best interest,” said their lawyer.
She added that Tony carefully planned his estate decades ago to protect his loved ones and that the accusations are “false and self-serving,” urging the family to honor Tony’s legacy instead of fighting.
Finding Peace Amidst Complexity
As Johanna and Antonia approach the two-year mark since their father’s passing, the pain of loss and the strain of family conflict continue to weigh heavily.
But through it all, their memories of Tony’s warmth, talent, and love remain a guiding light.
While the legal battles play out, the daughters hold on to what matters most — the irreplaceable bond they shared with a true music legend.